20 th Annual Doug Innes Memorial Malcolm Island Bird Count Itinerary and Information Outline Friday, April 17, 2020 6:40 p.m. Visitors from off Island catch ferry from Port McNeill to Sointula Please make your own arrangements for accommodation in Sointula. You are welcome to refer to the Sointula Resource Centre’s accommodation website at http://www.sointulainfo.ca/island-directory/accommodation/ , or if you are having any difficulty contacting accommodation providers, please get hold of us at [email protected] or at 250.973.6465 with any questions. Saturday, April 18, 2020 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Pelagic Boat Tour To celebrate the 20 th anniversary of the Doug Innes Memorial Malcolm Island Spring Bird Count the MIBC is organizing a pelagic bird (wildlife) boat trip. Mackay Whale Watching’s Naiad Explorer a 55 foot (17m) specially designed and fast boat will take us to our amazing back and front yards of Queen Charlotte Strait, Broughton Archipelago, Blackfish Sound and upper Johnstone Strait. To reserve for the pelagic boat trip please contact: Mackay Whale Watching www.whaletime.com Click on the reservations tab and fill it out including: April 18, 2020 and “MIBC Pelagic Trip” Cost: We anticipate and plan on the boat being full (only 38 people) therefore the cost should be $75.16 (per person) but if not, the price will increase. When the trip is booked Mackay Whale Watching will email you to confirm the cost and inform you how to pay. The Naiad Explorer will depart from the Port McNeill fuel dock at 8:30 am and at the Sointula harbour at 8:40 am to pick up passengers. Washroom facilities are onboard, pack a lunch and wear warm clothes for viewing on the outer decks. The route we take will be adjusted according to the weather on April 18. For further information contact Gordon Curry at [email protected] Sointula Athletic Hall. 2:00. – 2:30 p.m. MIBC 2001-2019 Highlights and Trends: Art Martell We are delighted to have Art Martell with us again this year to provide a review and trends of the Malcolm Island spring bird count from 2001 to 2019. Art, who is a longtime member and supporter of the Malcolm Island Bird Club, offered an engaging review of trends from 2001-2014 at our 2015 spring count. 2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Uncommon Visitors Near Malcolm Island: Gord Curry Our presenter has been fascinated from an early age with all manner of wildlife. A college and university degree in biological sciences fueled a 30-year career with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and now he is busily enjoying retirement. Birds have been a rekindled interest and focus, allowing Gord to participate in citizen science and specific volunteer research programs. Gord also enjoys providing continued nesting support for Western Purple Martins in Rough Bay, the current known north-western limit to this breeding population. Along with rescuing the occasional bird in distress, Gord also surveys a Great Blue Heron rookery on Malcolm Island for provincial forestry biologists. Gord says that being a member and supporter of the Malcolm Island Bird Club has been a great way to share the local wild riches with others, while gathering bird trend data and having fun doing it! In this presentation, Gord will provide an update on the purple martins that began nesting in Rough Bay last spring. He will also provide photos and lead a lively discussion of some of Malcolm Island’s less common avian visitors. 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. “Feathers,” Bird Inspired Artworks by Local Artists, Sponsored by the Malcolm Island Arts Society, and Works by A.J. Elliott Elementary School Students Donations are most welcome and will be used to pay rent on the Athletic Hall for the Saturday presentations and the Sunday potluck. Evening Open. Relax and enjoy Sointula. Sunday, April 19, 2020 9:00 a.m. 20 th Annual Doug Innes Memorial Malcolm Island Spring Bird Count commences outside the Sointula Co-op Store on First Street. Four teams will be pre-selected on Saturday and start their respective counts from this point. 4 p.m.- 5 p.m. Happy Hour and Review of Bird Count Results. Athletic Hall 5 p.m. Annual Pot Luck. Please share your favourite food and beverage and bird stories of the day. Again, a donation to cover the kitchen rental fee, if you didn’t already do so on Saturday, would be greatly appreciated. These halls are integral to our community and our rent for the two days we are using the facilities will be $120. .